Apricot tree named &#39;goldenmay&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree,  Prunus armeniaca,  broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, early blooming, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late May, with first picking on May 18, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm and meaty in texture, orange in flesh color, and orange skin color.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus armeniaca

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘GOLDENMAY’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of apricot, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Goldenmay’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 2000 as a first generation cross using ‘Goldenblush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,354) apricot as the selected seed parent and ‘16P245’ (unpatented) apricot as the selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered that spring, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2004 I selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Goldenblush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,354) apricot by blooming in the early season and by producing apricots that are freestone in type, orange in skin and flesh color, and mature in late May, but is distinguished therefrom by being self-fruitful, more productive, and by producing fruit that is larger in size, that is not as sweet in flavor, that has a much less pronounced suture, and that does not have red blush on the skin.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, early blooming, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late May, with first picking on May 18, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm and meaty in texture, orange in flesh color, and orange skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruit divided to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, a tip shoot, and three insets showing buds and blossoms.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of apricot tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of firm ripe on May 28, 2007, on the original tree during its seventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

-   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—‘Goldenblush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,960)             apricot.         -   Pollen parent.—‘16P245’ (unpatented) apricot. -   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 12′ [3.66             m.] and a spread of 9′ [2.74 m.] after seven growing seasons             utilizing typical dormant pruning.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and             fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of             surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant             should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for             production purposes.         -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.         -   Form.—Vase type.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.         -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical             central California climatic conditions, which typically             include extended periods of heat.         -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial             orchards and requires regular irrigation.         -   Production.—Very productive, thinning necessary.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet             observed.         -   Trunk.—Size. — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4¼″             [108 mm.] after the seventh growing season. Texture. —             Shaggy. Bark Color. — A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Light             grayish brown [60. l.gy.Br] variegation with Light yellowish             brown [76. l.yBr] crevices present. Lenticels. — Approximate             Number Per Square Inch: 7. Color: Light yellowish brown [76.             l.yBr]. Average Size: 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped,             elongated.         -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of limb is 2¼″ [57 mm.] measured             12″ above the crotch, 1¼″ [32 mm.] measured 12″ above the             first fork. Texture. — Smooth on first and second year wood,             increasing roughness with age. Color. — 1st Year Wood             Topside: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG]. 1st Year Wood             Underside: Brownish orange [54. brO]. Older Wood: Deep             yellowish brown [75. deep yBr]. Lenticels. — Number Per             Square Inch: More than 30 on second year wood. Color: Light             orange yellow [70. l.OY]. Average size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] on             second year wood. Shape: Rectangular, elongated.         -   Leaves.—Size. — Medium. Average Length: 2¾″ [69.9 mm.].             Average Width: 2⅜″ [60.3 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.             Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Oval to orbicular. Apex. —             Abruptly acuminate. Base. — Rounded. Surface. — Smooth.             Color. — Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin.             — Finely serrate. Venation. — Pinnately net veined. Vein             Color. — Light yellow green [119. l.YG]. Petiole. — Average             Length: 1 1/16″ [27 mm.]. Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6             mm.]. Color: Strong reddish brown [40. s.rBr] topside, Light             yellow green [119. l.YG] underneath. Stipules. — Number:             Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length:             ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green [115. v.YG] becoming             Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr] with maturity. Glands. —             Number: 2 to 3 per leaf. Position: Alternately positioned on             petiole and base of blade. Size: Small. Form: Globose.             Color: Strong reddish brown [40. s.rBr] becoming Dark             reddish brown [44. d.rBr] with age. Leaf Buds. — Pointed,             medium in size.         -   Flower Buds.—Hardiness. — Half-hardy, with respect to             central California winters. Diameter. — Typically 5/16″ [7.9             mm.] 5 days before bloom. Length. — Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 5             days before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. —             Pubescent. Color. — Pale purplish pink [252. p.pPk].         -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single             pistil, typically twenty-four or more stamens, five sepals             and petal locations alternately positioned. Average Flower             Diameter. — 1⅜″ [34.9 mm.]. Number of Petals. — Usually             five. Petal Shape. — Circular to elliptical. Petal Margin. —             Entire, fairly smooth. Average Petal Diameter. — 9/16″ [14.3             mm.]. Average Petal Length. — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]. Petal Apex.             — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded. Petal Color. — Pinkish             white [9. pkwhite] on both sides. Anther Color. — Brilliant             yellow [83. brill.Y]. Stigma Color. — Light greenish yellow             [101. l.gY]. Sepal Color. — Deep purplish red [256. deep pR]             on the outer surface. Sepal Length. — 9/32″ [7.1 mm.]. Sepal             Width. — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Sepal Apex. — Acute to acuminate.             Sepal Margin. — Smooth. Average Pistil Length. — ½″ [12.7             mm.]. Average Stamen Length. — 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Fragrance.             — Moderate. Pollen Production. — Abundant. Blooming Period.             — Early compared to other apricots, with ‘Goldenblush’             (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 15,354). Onset of Bloom. — One percent             on Feb. 20, 2007. Date of Full Bloom. — Feb. 27, 2007.             Duration of Bloom. — One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature. Average number per cluster. — Three. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, May 28, 2007.         -   Date of first picking.—May 21, 2007.         -   Date of last picking.—May 30, 2007.         -   Size.—Uniform, Large. Average diameter axially. — 2¼″ [57.2             mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 2⅝″ [66.7             mm.]. Typical Weight. — 4.3 ounces [122 grams].         -   Form.—Uniform, globose, symmetrical. Longitudinal Section             Form. — Round to elliptical. Transverse Section Through             Diameter. — Round.         -   Suture.—Extends from the base, along the side, to just             beyond the pistil point. Near the Base. — A very shallow             groove. Along the Side. — An indistinct line. Near the Apex.             — A shallow trough with a minor depression just past the             pistil point.         -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped toward the apex.         -   Lips.—Equal.         -   Cavity.—Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side.             Depth. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Breadth. — 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].         -   Base.—Rounded to truncate.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Pistil Point.—Apical, negligible in length, recessed within             the suture.         -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Average             Width. — 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].         -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Smooth. Tenacity. —             Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Slightly astringent.             Tendency to Crack. — None observed in dry season. Color. —             Moderate reddish orange [37. m.rO] smoothly blending into a             Strong orange [50. s.O ] background.         -   Flesh.—Color. — Strong orange yellow [68. s.OY] becoming             Very orange [48. v.O ] with increasing maturity. Surface of             Pit Cavity. — Covered with Light orange yellow [70. l.OY]             fibers. Amygdalin. — Moderate. Juice. — Moderate, rich.             Texture. — Firm, meaty, melting. Fibers. — Few, fine,             tender. Ripens. — Even. Flavor. — A mild balance of acid and             sugar, typically 15 brix. Aroma. — Moderate. Eating Quality.             — Good. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Freestone.         -   Form.—Oval.         -   Hilum.—Narrow, oblong.         -   Base.—Rounded, cupped at the hilum.         -   Apex.—Obtuse with a 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] tip having an average             angle of 70 degrees.         -   Sides.—Equal.         -   Surface.—Rough throughout.         -   External color of stone.—Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr].         -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep             yBr].         -   Cavity surface color.—A Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY] and             Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr] variegation.         -   Average pit wall thickness.— 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].         -   Average width.—1″ [25.4 mm.].         -   Average length.—1 3/16″ [30.2 mm.].         -   Average breadth.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Tendency to split.—Very slight.         -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Light orange yellow [70.             l.OY] when first remove. Pellicle Color. — Moderate orange             yellow [71. m.OY]. Taste. — Bitter. Viable. — Yes. Average             Width. — ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]. Average Length. — ⅞″ [22.2 mm.].             Amygdalin. — Abundant. -   Use:     -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Good, fruit quality observed to remain in             good condition after 14 days in standard cold room at 36°             Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].         -   Shipping quality.—Good.         -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.         -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Other notes: Although the new variety of apricot tree possesses the     described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le     Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is     to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur     when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different     soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to its seed parent, ‘Goldenblush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,354) apricot, by blooming in the early season and by producing apricots that are freestone in type, orange in flesh and skin color, and mature in late May, but is distinguished therefrom by being self-fruitful, more productive, and by producing fruit that is larger in size, that is not as sweet in flavor, that has a much less pronounced suture, and that does not have red blush on the skin. 